I am not much of a morning person, so I have put together a morning routine that helps me get my day started on the right foot. It is more than just drinking coffee and having my clothes ready. If you are looking to boost your productivity and set yourself up for success, check out these 5+ changes to make for a more productive morning routine.
This article was originally published in May 2018 and has since been updated for April 2025.
5+ Changes for a More Productive Morning Routine
Wake Up Earlier
I am a bigtime snoozer and set multiple alarms to try and get up and moving in the mornings. Going to bed at a reasonable time and then waking up a bit earlier so that I can feel less frantic in the morning has been a big improvement for me. I wake up and spend a few minutes playing my games on the New York Times app while enjoying a cup of hot lemon water with a scoop of collagen.
Make the Bed
One chore I have always done daily is make the bed. It feels chaotic and unorganized if I do not do this right away. It takes just a couple of minutes and is really impactful for my mornings.
Get a Workout In
I either take the dogs for a walk in the morning or take a quick walk on my walking pad while listening to a podcast or a walking meditation on the Peloton app. I also prioritize getting to Pure Barre for a class in the mornings when I can. I find that it helps jump start my metabolism, helps clear my mind, and keeps my afternoons and evenings free for a variety of things, whether it is time with David and the pups, friends, or just decompressing and reading.
Fold a Load of Laundry
David and I go through quite a bit of laundry and I have found it is so much easier to start a load of laundry before bed and put it in the dryer. David will often fluff them up so that I can fold them when I wake up. It makes me feel a sense of accomplishment right away and I can go ahead and start putting the laundry away to take even more off my to-do list for the evenings.
Put Away Any Dishes
We run the dishwasher in the evenings because I cannot go to bed without a clean kitchen counter. In the mornings, either David or me empties the dishwasher and then I will put the dishes away. I always appreciate coming home to an empty sink and a tidy-ish kitchen. No one told me that the mark of adulthood would be constantly cleaning the kitchen, so any time I can alleviate that burden, I will take it.
Time to Plan
While I am finishing getting ready, I take a few minutes to also plan out my day. I do this with a cup of coffee and make a list of priorities, both personally and professionally, while making sure my calendar is up-to-date and to set an intention for the day. I use a daily planner with prompts about 3 big goals for the day, a space for a to-do list, what I am thankful for that day, and any other notes + things to do for myself that day. This is such an important part of my routine and if I miss it, it throws my day completley off
These changes have really helped me maximize my time throughout the day, which is something I have traditionally struggled with. I hope you find soemthing that will help you maximize your time and improve your time management so that you can enjoy your evenings and free time with family and friends!
Do you have any morning productivity hacks? I would love to hear about them in the comments!
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All great tips! Loving those pjs too!
All great things. I wake up early with a flexible work schedule I can go in at any time. I usually shoot for 7:30-8am. This gives me time to clean up the kitchen, usually I do this at night but sometimes I will leave it for the morning. Folding Landry is a good idea, and something I should add.